Philippians 2:13

Tattoo #2

An owl sitting on an arrow. This isn't just a super sweet design that I came upon one day. This tattoo actually means quite a bit to me. It's the only one of my tattoos that is a complete original, something that I drew and put a whole year into it before I decided it was time. There is also quite the story behind this one.

Since I can remember, I have prayed for wisdom and guidance in my life. Even when I didn't know what prayer was, or who I was praying too these are things that I was searching for in my life. I had no one. I mean, there were people around who cared, but I felt alone, abandoned, like I didn't belong. I wasn't just an introvert or a home-body, I literally had no one that I could lean on. So I would seek out wisdom in guidance in my life. I wanted someone to save me, and to give me these things. That's when I ran into Jesus. (I mean there is a LOT more to that story...some other time)

There are a few psalms that I have connected with as  I still battle with where my wisdom and guidance should come from.

Psalm 20:4 

May he give you the desire of your heart and make all your plans succeed.

Psalm 73:23-26

Yet I am always with you; you hold me by my right hand. You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will take me into glory. Whom have I in heaven but you? And earth has nothing I desire besides you. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. 

Psalm 119:133

Direct my footsteps according to your word let no sin rule over me. 

This tattoo was supposed to be my first, but I struggled with it's perfection. If you notice there is one spot that is colored outside the lines, and between you and me, that's my favorite part of the whole thing. 

"Once I was lost, but now I'm found." 

-Holly 

#PrayDay...Take 1

Monday's are a great day to make a prayer list. We survived a long weekend, and there was a lot that happened around me that I took mental notes of to pray for. 

PEOPLE

Emily - a friend of mine who left early Sunday for Africa to do some pretty awesome things. Prayers for safe travel, and for safety while she is there for the next 2 months. 

Brittani - another friend, who's pretty incredible. She has a doctors appointment tomorrow, prayers for the doctor in their knowledge. 

Beth and Alex - two students at the youth group I volunteer with, who collided pretty hard head to head last night. 

Corrie - has applied for a ministry opportunity that she is waiting to hear back from. 

Ashley and Tiffany - graduation is just a few weeks away and the stress level is rising for all seniors.

MINISTRY'S 

Diamond Willow Ministries - Located on the Lakota Sioux Reservation in South Dakota, doing amazing reach outs to families and students and are just three weeks from starting summer camps. 

University Christian Church - Located in Manhattan Kansas, they are starting a three year plan to expand the physical church to reach  out and expand the body of the church. The youth ministries are getting ready for a jam packed summer as well. 

Feeding The Orphans - Started by a young girl just a few years ago who's heart was with the orphans of the world, but especially in Ghana, Africa where her parents were about to adopt her younger brother from. They now partner with orphanages in Africa, and have a summer camp located in Tennessee. Prayers for the teams that are joining them and willing to be used by Jesus. 

Fellowship of Christian Athletes - Summer Power Camps, and for the staff working with students all over the United States. 

THANKFUL FOR

For friends who encourage me

For others doing ministry that their heart is passionate about, and that God has equipped them for

For you, and your purpose

For teachers

For technology that is a tool for keeping us in touch

For men and women who bravely stand to protect our country, never knowing what tomorrow truly holds, and for their families who boldly stand in support of them. 

For Jesus Christ. The bravest man who ever walked earth, who took a death he didn't deserve so I could live a life that I don't deserve. d

OTHERS 

What do you need prayer for? 

I pray that God is leading you where He wants to use you. I'm praying that He is giving you a heart of patience to work with those who aren't always easy to work with. I'm praying that you are happy, and that Jesus Christ is the center of that happiness. Amen

Thanks for joining in prayer. <3 

VERSE OF THE WEEK

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.

John 14:27

- Holly 

Can you?

Just a tangent...

This Sunday afternoon I attended q class to become a member of my church. I've called this place home for 4 years, and have put this off for such a time. As we talked about the church and the importance of the church, one of our pastors said; "Really my job is to equip, and it's your job to minister." 

I've attended a bible college for 5 years, and equip is a word that I have heard a lot, and honestly I didn't understand the depth of the definition. According to google the definition is "supply with the necessary items for a particular purpose." Going to bible college I obviously am wanting to do ministry. I've been a volunteer with a youth group for 4 years and recently have realized how important it is for me to equip them to reach their friends with the gosel. Honestly who can do that better than someone their own age, better than them? It's the same for ministers. Though we (or the majority) spent years going to bible college to do ministry, we are not the best reaching out to the "lost". We are best to equip others to do so. 

Ministry doesn't take a degree. It's takes an example that you can live out of your faith. It's taking a step of faith to speak words of God. Bible college is not for everybody, but ministry is. The best people I've seen on the ministry field are those who have lived a life of faith, and set the example of faith. 

Don't think you're not good enough, or that you can't because it's not your job. You can. You have the power. You have the ability. You have the God who is going to use you, if you realize that you can. You can, because He can. 

Psalm 20:4

Tattoo #1

One of our high school students wrote me a letter the other day, and in it states "I love your tattoos. I love that they tell stories, and are great conversation starters of your faith."

Fearless was my first tattoo, and those of you who know me know that I have a love for Taylor Swift. There was some Swift inspiration behind getting this tattoo, but it's not the song, or the album. It's her definition of fearless.

"Fearless doesn't mean you're completely unafraid, and it doesn't mean that you're bullet proof. It means that you have a lot of fears, but you jump anyways." 

I have this written out in my bible right about Isaiah 41:10.

"So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed for I am your God. I will strengthen you and I will help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand." 

Putting this permanently on my body was a decision that I didn't tread into lightly. I thought a lot about the words, and the placement. I have been called into ministry, and to do God's work. I have so many fears taking my first step out of college and into the real world that awaits me. This is why I chose to place it on my foot. With every step I take, I know that I am to take it fearlessly into the direction that God has for me. There is also a saying "put your right foot forward," and that is how I wanted to take my first steps two years ago when I decided to get this tattoo. 

There are a lot of things that we face in our daily lives, and there is a lot of evil in the world telling us so many lies. My faith lies in Jesus Christ, and I know that when He tells me to go that he will be there to catch me. 

This tattoo has started many conversations, and the best of them being with my family. They may not understand my faith fully, but they are interested. My brother for one, has reminded me so many times why its important for me to remain fearless and completely trust in God.

 I think fearless also can stand for boldness. Be BOLD for Christ, and move FEARLESSLY in the direction the He has called you. 

Peace out, 

-Me 

Is your security in your phone?

This weekend we took our High School girls on a Retreat and we talked about securities. What makes us feel secure? People, objects, etc. During the first lesson as we were talking about these things, cellphones were a security we all had. So, the plan was to take their phones. Just for the weekend, to bring security in other ways. Security in Jesus Christ.

We enjoyed a really fun evening with those who were around us, and I don't think the girls noticed much that their phones were gone. The next day we woke up, had worship and another lesson, and then we were off to paint pottery. This is when the girls got their phones back...was maybe 24 hours.

As they got their phones back the lady instructing our ceramic time was giving instructions, and 3 of the 4 girls I was sitting next too were in a whole other world on their phones.

I think it's crazy that this video has so much truth. Though our cell phones are useful tools, they are also the biggest distraction and biggest security object we have.

If we get bored, we pull out our phones. If we are left out of a conversation, we pull out our phone. If we simply don't want to be in a conversation, if we don't care much for the people around us, if we want to know what others who we aren't with are doing, if we simply just need to fill time or take a picture, even more so. if subconsciously we need to feel secure...we pull out our phones.
How long could we make it, if we didn't have our phones?